Friday, March 21

As the coalition forces advance into Iraq, Caritas is providing humanitarian aid in 14 centers throughout Baghdad, Basra, Kirkuk and Mosul. The centers are fully equipped with stocks of basic provisions to last for several weeks: crackers of high vitamin content, powdered milk, water-purifying equipment and electric and combustible generators, Caritas sources told ZENIT. Caritas personnel in Iraq reported that in the Baghdad area people are leaving their homes and seeking shelter in churches and schools. Caritas-Iraq, which anticipated the population's movements, has stocked Catholic churches throughout the country with basic necessities, to provide Iraqi citizens with a measure of security in anticipation of the bombing.